THE TOP TEN BESTSELLER: The Inspirational Life of Finn, Britain's Bravest Dog, Winner of the 2017 Daily Mirror Animal Hero of the Year Award Hertfordshire, October 5th 2016. At around 2 a.m., PC Dave Wardell and his dog, PD Finn, were trying to apprehend a robbery suspect when he turned around and attacked them. Finn was stabbed with a ten-inch-bladed knife, both through his chest, via his armpit and then - the knife bound for Dave - through the top of his head. Finn no doubt saved Dave's life, but the race was on to try and save Finn's. Dave Wardell's heartfelt memoir charts an incredible journey of friendship and loyalty. It is a celebration of the bond between one man and his dog, from when Dave collected Finn from his kennels at just nine months old, all the way through to Finn's recent and hard-earned retirement. The book charts the career of a highly trained, highly decorated dog. In his time on the job Finn tracked offenders of all kinds; found missing children; tackled armed offenders; saved lives. But Finn isn't just a police dog - he's also a cherished family pet and this is his remarkable, life-affirming story.

Born and raised on a south London council estate, Dave Wardell has always loved dogs. The family dog, Jess - actually his father's dog, and also a German Shepherd - was a constant companion. As a small boy, Dave could often be found curled up with her at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for his father's return home from work - something that continued long after his untimely death just before Dave's first birthday. Dave joined the police force in 2003, and trained as a dog handler in 2009. Since then, led by Finn, who was his crime-fighting partner for seven years, he's tracked murderers and rapists, burglars and missing persons, car thieves and assault suspects. Dave is married to Gemma, and they have three young daughters; Jaymee, Tia, and India. Plus six dogs, one kitten and a parrot.